For Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the creator of the modern Olympic Games, the combination of the five disciplines of the Modern Pentathlon was a test for men’s moral skills, relative to their physical resources and technical abilities. The result was the creation of the all-in-one athlete. In the centenary of the sport’s inclusion in the Olympic programme, a Russian can push further. The man and the legend become one in the saga for Andrei Moiseev’s third consecutive gold medal.

This would be a ground-breaking feat in History. Hungarian athlete Andras Balczo has 3 victories, of which two at the team event (Rome 1960 and Mexico City 1968), a competition which was part of the Olympic Games between 1952 and 1992.  The individual event led him to the top of the podium in Munich 1972.

About to turn 33, Moiseev is a high performance competitor for over a decade.  He was champion at the two Olympic editions he competed in.  In 2011, he won the world championship and ranked third at the end of the year.  He is qualified for London 2012; however, due to the high level of Russian pentathletes and regulation restrictions, his participation is not yet confirmed.

“Being an Olympic champion is the last and highest degree. You have to be in your best shape, with a top performance. There is no distinction between the victories at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008. Both were very though victories. For London 2012, we do not know yet. I am qualified to compete, but I am not sure if I will be there, because four Russian athletes are qualified for the Games and the country can only send two.  All I can do is to get prepared and wait”, he analyses. The tickets for the Modern Pentathlon competitions in London are sold out for months.

Check out the video on Moiseev’s victory in Beijing 2008

Changes in the sport

Since 2009, with the advent of a new Olympic cycle, the Modern Pentathlon has undergone significant changes in its rules, for the purpose of approximating the public and the media and expanding sport frontiers. Shooting, which was the first competition, became part of the combined event, the last and decisive competition, together with Running. The air pistol was replaced by the laser pistol.

For Moiseev, who was a champion before and after the changes, this has been a smooth transition.  The capacity to adapt to new challenges was and still is routine in such a complex sport, which requires physical and mental strength.

“The sport became more attractive to the public. From the athlete’s viewpoint, it led everyone to adapt once again.  This brought balance to the sport, somehow it levelled it.  Running is still Running, Shooting is still Shooting, however the details make a difference. In my specific case, I lived the changes naturally.  I had the same difficulties as the others”, the Russian says.

Off to Rio 2016™

During the second stage of the World Cup 2012, disputed in March in Deodoro region in Rio, the Olympic bi-champion had the opportunity to know the locations which will host the Modern Pentathlon competitions in 2016. Within the Complex that will host six Olympic sports and three Paralympic sports, first class venues such as the National Shooting Centre are ready. Some other venues are temporary.  For the moment, Rio 2016™ is only in his imagination, and in his reddish skin tanned by the permanent sun:

“For the World Cup competitions, conditions are good.  The venues for all sports are near the others, which is important. For the Olympic Games, we still have four years to go. We will have new venues. The structure for the Games is always excellent. Athens and Beijing were excellent to this aspect. The same is expected from Brazil.  Now, my participation depends on my health (laugh). If everything goes well, why not?”.

Moiseev smiles when asked about the possibility of becoming the best pentathlete of all times. The path to London’s medal is tough, and starts at home.  His compatriots Aleksander Lesun, number one in the world ranking, Serguei Karyakin, world champion in 2010, and Ilia Frolov, world champion in 2008, also know the meaning of being an all-in-one athlete.  Only one can reach the top of the podium. The saga for the gold involves legends and limits.